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The gas explosion on December 1 on Baberton Mains Avenueat claimed the life of an 84-year-old man and left a family homeless

Fundraiser to help family who lost their home in explosion raises nearly £25,000

A PInch of Salt has announced it will be closing down its Princes Street kiosk in the next few weeks – just months after they opened.

Edinburgh coffee shop announces sad closure

Flood warnings have been issued in Edinburgh

Flood alert as heavy rain forecast overnight

The owners of the Cramond Inn in Edinburgh said they were broken into during the early hours of Friday morning.

City pub slams 'thieving wee bampots' after break-in

ScotRail ias advising customers to check the new timetable in case there are changes affecting their journey. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Rail passengers advised to check journeys on new timetable

The scene in Baberton Mains Avenue, Edinburgh, after the on Friday night. Picture: Lesley Martin/PA Wire

House explosion probe focuses on property's gas fittings

Giant pandas Yang Guang (pictured) and Tian Tian have been very popular with visitors at Edinburgh Zoo since arriving in December 2011. Photo: RZSS

Edinburgh Zoo pandas fly back today: "It will be emotional to see them leave"

The Singh family

Popular restaurant wins battle for extended opening hours

Edinburgh has been named the most festive city in the UK. Stock Getty photo overlooking the city's Christmas Market.

Most festive city in the UK

Edinburgh Festivals

The Stand has staged Fringe shows at the New Town Theatre on George Street since 2017.

The Stand pulls plug on biggest Fringe venue after acts and crowds stay away
Comedy club operator The Stand will go ‘back to basics’ after axing shows at the New Town Theatre

Exclusive Sir Sean Connery’s family reveal plans for film and TV talent school in Leith

Aftersun star Paul Mescal and the film's writer-director, Charlotte Wells, at the 2022 EIFF opening gala. Picture: Pako Mera

New Edinburgh Film Festival director pledges ‘bright new future’

Exclusive Tourist tax risks creating ‘negative and unwelcoming’ image of Scotland

Emmanuel Sonubi and Susie McCabe, who will appear at Ho Ho Hogmanay in Edinburgh.

Ho Ho Hogmanay line-up for 2023/24 revealed

Traffic and Travel

Edinburgh Airport is Scotland's busiest airport. Photo by Andrew Milligan/ PA.

Airport to be put up for sale say sources

Both Edinburgh Trams and Lothian Buses are investigating the 'full circumstances' of the collision.

Investigations as tram and bus collide

The Mega Meet event has been advertised on Facebook and 655 people have responded.

Police step up patrols amid concerns over car rally

Numerous police cars, an ambulance and a police dog unit are in currently in attendance on Craigentinny Road.

Ongoing incident as Edinburgh police swoop on flats

A decision on whether the Sheriffhall plans should go ahead in their current form is due to be announced 'in due course'

Sheriffhall roundabout decision ready

Councillors quizzed the council's chief executive this week about the delivery of the tram system in Edinburgh.

Tram project wouldn't have gone ahead without 'lies' to councillors

Crime

Edinburgh council has received seven compensation claims from victims of 'predatory' social worker Sean Bell. Picture: Neil Hanna

Seven abuse victims claim council compensation

A woman has been ‘left shaken’ after being assaulted on Alvanley Terrace in Bruntsfield at around 5.20pm on Saturday, December 2

Woman left shaken after being threatened and pushed into car

Catriona Henderson told the court she was left “scared and worried” after discovering Blackadder Crescent, North Berwick neighbour David Aston had written a book that features a character who develops superpowers and seeks revenge on nearby residents.

Disabled author accused of using neighbours as project for his novel

Edinburgh's Fountain Park was evacuated on Saturday, December 2.

Leisure park re-opens following malicious hoax call

Stock photo of Fountain Park, Edinburgh, by Lisa Ferguson.

Fountain Park evacuated following 'malicious call'

Sergeant Clayton Lackenby was found to have collected thousands of pictures and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children as young as two-years-old. Lackenby, 50, downloaded the horror collection over a three year period showing toddlers being raped by adults to a computer system unit at his former home in the Scottish Borders. The disgraced sergeant was immediately suspended from his role with Police Scotland and resigned soon after his arrest in July last year. The father-of-two appeared in the dock at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday, November 21, where he pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children between May 4, 2019 and July 14, 2022.

Sentences handed out to criminals in November

Weather

Temperature are expected to rise in Edinburgh next week following freezing conditions this week in the Capital. Stock Getty photo.

Day by day weather for the week ahead

Bookmakers Ladbrokes has named Edinburgh amongst the UK cities with the best chance of a White Christmas this year.

Latest odds for a White Christmas in Edinburgh

Business

The Rocco Forte Hotels portfolio includes Edinburgh's famous five-star Balmoral, situated on Princes Street.

Saudi wealth fund takes big stake in Balmoral hotel owner Rocco Forte

Johnnie Walker Princes Street's experience manager Anastasia Neagu, centre, with the award for the World’s Leading Spirit Experience at the World Travel Awards.

City tourist attraction named best in the world

Designated drivers can receive a free pint of Guinness 0.0 at their local Edinburgh Greene King pub throughout December.

Free pints of Guinness this Christmas in city pubs

Politics

The council's attempt to regulate Airbnb-style lets was dealt another blow when Lord Braid described its implementation of a control area as “unfair and illogical". Picture: Scott Louden

Counci refusal to debate 'unlawful' ruling 'complacent'

Alistair Darling represented Edinburgh at Westminster for 28 years, as well as serving as Chancellor during the global banking crisis and leading the Better Together campaign in the independence referendum. Picture: Ian Georgeson.

Alistair Darling rose above petty politics

The new town of Shawfair has a planned education campus in its masterplan.

New secondary school plans in doubt

Violence in schools is increasing in Midlothian.

Schools dealing with sharp rise in ‘distressed’ behaviour

UK Trending

NS&I Premium Bonds December 2023 prize winners: When is the draw date & how to check if you are a winner

Everything you need to know about the NS&I Premium Bonds December draw

Two men are being hunted by police after a man had a £28,000 Rolex watch stolen off of his wrist on a London street. (Credit: Metropolitan Police / SWNS)

Shocking clip shows £28k Rolex stolen from a man's wrist in attack

Part of the light trail at Warwick Castle

The castle that's a perfect start to Christmas

Mars has recalled Revels after rubber pieces were found in some packets Picture: Getty Images

Mars recalls popular sweet because it may contain rubber

Benn Curran-Nicholls, 14, tragically died after eating poisonous berries off a yew tree during a walk with his dad in Fletcher Moss Park in Manchester. (Photo: PA)

Boy dies after eating berries from tree in his local park

A murder probe has been launched after a man died in a house fire in Hull, East Yorkshire Picture: Humberside police / SWNS

Murder probe launched after man dies after house fire

Environment

Parts of the City of Edinburgh Council’s short-term let licensing policy are “unfair” and “illogical”, a judge has ruled, in a decision which could affect attempts to regulate Airbnb-style properties.

Parts of short-term let policy ‘unfair and illogical’, judge rules

Work is underway ahead of schedule to repair Burnside Footbridge in Longstone.

Work begins early to repair footbridge and re-open vital link

People

Two-year-old Kieran Casey in his pedal car, amazed at all the toys on sale in the Toys R Us superstore in Edinburgh, September 1989.

17 photos transporting you back to Edinburgh in 1989
We take a look back at 1989 in Edinburgh, when the city witnessed poll tax protests and (some things never change) traffic problems aplenty.

Pictured are members of the team.

Award for respiratory team

Police have officially named the 84-year-old man who died in the explosion as James Findlay Smith.

Police name victim of house explosion

The house on Baberton Mains Avenue was destroyed in Friday night's deadly blast.

Drone footage shows full Baberton devastation

Councillor Sally Pattle, Lib Dem for Linlithgow. Copyright West Lothian Council.

Councillor cleared of a breach of conduct

Education

We’ve taken a look at the best performing private schools in Scotland, according to the Sunday Times Parent Power Schools Guide 2024.

Scotland's Top 10 private schools for Higher results

An Edinburgh state school has been named amongst the very best in Scotland, while one of the city’s top private schools is celebrating after achieving the best Higher results in the country.

The Edinburgh schools listed amongst best in Scotland

Former teacher John Brownlee, 88, is alleged to have carried out shocking campaigns of violence and torture against 35 schoolboys over a 20 year period at Edinburgh Academy.

Teacher accused of child abuse wont stand trial due to ill health

King Charles III and Principal and Vice-Chancellor Heriot-Watt University Dubai Richard Williams unveil a plaque to mark the official opening of the Dubai campus. First Minister Humza Yousaf looks on. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images.

King opens Heriot-Watt's new Dubai campus

Cheng Xia (24) Outside Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Student caught with child abuse images and videos

Cheng Xia (24) Outside Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Student caught with child abuse images and videos

Health

Growing demand will make the current Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion 'unsustainable', say patients. Picture: Greg Macvean.

New eye hospital essential as current building 'unsustainable'

Photo: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images

Patient with 'heavy vaginal bleeding' left in A&E corridor

Laura and Stacey McCabe with Mason - they are backing the appeal for more egg and sperm donors.

IVF couple back campaign for more egg and sperm donors

Deciding to talk about someone’s hearing health can feel awkward, but if you follow this expert guidance, then in turn you can offer support. Picture – supplied

Ad Feature How to help a loved one regain their hearing

Opinion

Inverleith Councillor Iain Whyte

LEZ scheme is an expensive dud - ​Iain Whyte

Last week City of Edinburgh Council erected the signs for its Low Emission Zone in the city centre. Due to be enforced from June 2024 the scheme will fine owners of older vehicles. Fines start at £60 but escalate to an eyewatering £480 for a fourth “offence” within 90 days.By The Newsroom
Alistair Darling in Edinburgh in September 2014

Today’s politicians should look to these honourable men as role models - Susan D...

Giant panda Tian Tian - visitors had one final opportunity to say goodbye to Britain's only giant pandas last week before zoo keepers started to get them ready to make their way back to China. Picture: Danny Lawson/PA Wire

No baby pandas but Tian Tian and Yang Guang delighted us with their presence - S...

Why Scotland has taken a high profile at COP28 Dubai summit - Angus RobertsonAngus Robertson
Cammy Day, leader of City of Edinburgh Council

It’s starting to feel a lot like Christmas in Edinburgh - Cammy Day

The old Royal High School building on Edinburgh's Calton Hill

Concert hall plans look like financial suicide in current climate - Kevin Buckle

Workers prepare an area at the COP28 UN Climate Summit in Dubai (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

COP28 in UAE? It’s like asking Russia to hold a conference on world peace - Vlad...

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Must Read

A complete ban on parking on pavements will come into force in Edinburgh in January (Picture: Lisa Ferguson)

Pavement parking ban is moment to cherish - Kevin Lang

Ad Feature Households urged to prepare for first cold snap

Ad Feature British Gas, Team GB and ParalympicsGB announce new 5 year partnership

Chief Inspector Kieran Dougal is Local Area Commander, North East Edinburgh

​Let’s ‘crackle’ down on firework safety - Kieran Dougal